Radiance library forecasting for time-critical hyperspectral target detection systems

1. An automated method of adaptive threshold hyperspectral detection comprising: acquiring atmospheric forecast information; selecting at least one reflectance library; inputting said atmospheric forecast information, at least one selected reflectance library, and data collection and sensor parameters into a model to produce at least one mission radiance library; collecting hyperspectral data; and comparing said hyperspectral data to said mission radiance library to identify features; adapting threshold of hyperspectral data detection automatically.

2. The method in claim 1 , wherein said atmospheric forecast information comprises a prediction of atmospheric conditions that will occur in the area where said collecting of said hyperspectral data is to be performed during the time period when said collecting of said hyperspectral data is to be performed.

3. The method in claim 1 , wherein said mission radiance library comprises a prediction of what said sensor is expected to observe during said process of collecting said hyperspectral data if said features are present.

4. The method in claim 1 , wherein said mission radiance library is specific to a mission being executed during said process of collecting said hyperspectral data.

5. The method in claim 1 , wherein said processes of inputting said atmospheric forecast information, said selected reflectance library, and said data collection and sensor parameters into said model is performed during a mission planning phase.

6. The method in claim 1 , wherein said reflectance library comprises historical reflectance measurements of said features.

7. The method in claim 1 , wherein said process of collecting hyperspectral data comprises collecting aerial images of a planet surface.

8. An automated method of adaptive threshold hyperspectral detection comprising: acquiring atmospheric forecast information based on current real time atmospheric measurements; selecting at least one surface reflectance library, wherein said surface reflectance library is based on surface reflectance measurements; acquiring data collection and sensor parameters; inputting said atmospheric forecast information, at least one selected surface reflectance library and said data collection and sensor parameters into a model to produce at least one mission radiance library; collecting hyperspectral data; comparing said hyperspectral data to said mission radiance library to identify targets; adapting threshold of hyperspectral data detection automatically.

9. The method in claim 8 , wherein said atmospheric forecast information comprises a prediction of atmospheric conditions that will occur in the area where said collecting of said hyperspectral data is to be performed during the time period when said collecting of said hyperspectral data is to be performed.

10. The method in claim 8 , wherein said mission radiance libraries comprise a prediction of what said sensor is expected to observe during said process of collecting said hyperspectral data if said targets are present.

11. The method in claim 8 , wherein said mission radiance library is specific to a mission being executed during said process of collecting said hyperspectral data.

12. The method in claim 8 , wherein said processes of inputting said atmospheric forecast information, said selected reflectance library, and said data collection and sensor parameters into said model is performed during a mission planning phase.

13. The method in claim 8 , wherein said reflectance library comprises historical reflectance measurements of said targets.

14. The method in claim 8 , wherein said process of collecting hyperspectral data comprises collecting aerial images of a planet surface.

15. An automated system for performing adaptive threshold hyperspectral detection comprising: a hyperspectral detection processing unit connected to at least one atmospheric forecast database and at least one reflectance library database; a sensor connected to said hyperspectral detection processing unit; and a comparator connected to said hyperspectral detection processing unit, wherein said hyperspectral detection processing unit is adapted to: input atmospheric forecast information from said atmospheric forecast database, at least one selected reflectance library from said reflectance library database, and data collection and sensor parameters relating to said sensor; process a model to produce at least one mission radiance library; and automatically assign optimal threshold for detection processing; wherein said sensor is adapted to collect hyperspectral data, and wherein said comparator is adapted to compare said hyperspectral data to said mission radiance library to identify features.

16. The system in claim 15 , wherein said atmospheric forecast information comprises a prediction of atmospheric conditions that will occur in the area where said collecting of said hyperspectral data is to be performed during the time period when said collecting of said hyperspectral data is to be performed.

17. The system in claim 15 , wherein said mission radiance library comprises a prediction of what said sensor is expected to observe during said process of collecting said hyperspectral data if said features are present.

18. The system in claim 15 , wherein said mission radiance library is specific to a mission being executed during the collecting of said hyperspectral data.

19. The system in claim 15 , wherein the inputting of said atmospheric forecast information, said selected reflectance library, and said data collection and sensor parameters into said model is performed during a mission planning phase.

20. The system in claim 15 , wherein said reflectance library comprises historical reflectance measurements of said features.